Huey

Exactly the point I've been trying to make to many, we all know how the pyramid scheme will be kept going via the provinces, give them a hiding from a racing perspective then make the argument they are no longer worth keeping going ... Kachingching!!!

I understand that is the premise behind it, but increase interest to the extent they can run ave. $100k races? Seems a bit outlandish to me. and yet we seem to be heading in the opposite direction.

I'm sure something has been done , based on what many are saying about the presentation, I'd also be somewhat more confident the ARC are more competent in this space than NZTR are. The aspect I struggle with though is what is in it for the ARC? They are potentially going to be subsidising loss making races via diversified investments they have made and therefore out of the kindness of their hearts for the benefit of the industry? yes they would have the catering functions side , but being realistic would that be any different to what they have now? I mean just because you put a Strath in and increase prizemoney does anyone really think outside of existing carnivals that the crowds will flock back to racing?

Of course we wont get to see betting figures unless they are startling good, but if they are not or are about the same I still don't get the whole point of the AWTs? I thought they were sold on producing a better betting product and giving more opportunities to more horses? and as you've pointed out being the cover for abandoned meetings. One would expect like the trainers, punters will need some time to acclimatise to the new surface. The feedback I've heard from riders on the AWT has been very positive, so here is hoping the entire venture works out for the industry.

Putting on extra races shouldn't be an issue as the betting turnover should comfortably make them financially viable, if not then aren't we just in the same place we have always been?

Well you've got to ask what impact this would have on the AWT patronage if it did happen, as you've point out Freda most will simply ship out to the new Strath track, possibly leaving some white elephants behind? One thing is for sure the days of country racing and smaller clubs holding race days is fast approaching its end, not sure the new approach will lead to any greater involvement in the sport than the grass roots has created but then these people with power point presentations know far more than most of us do.

Yes fields were good, but looked like half the field in most races never had a hope unless the horse got to the outside fence.

Someone tell me why anyone would race at Wanganui in the winter ?

I agree, have some sympathy for the Steeple race , but perhaps the stake should be adjusted, but the amateur race was an easy call a long way out.

Seems about in line with the half year which is up I believe, hopefully for their sake they can sustain it. One thing the industry has been screaming for cost savings for years, the industry appears to have been right it doesn't take a genius to realise there was plenty of money there for savings and thus distributing to the industry? Surely, pretty obvious stuff. I'm really interested to see if they can sustain or improve betting numbers without Covid bounce & with several of the changes made in the local industry, particularly on nzracing. Next year as a comparison with this should gauge that.

Currently there are only 3 riders listed to ride in that 6 horse field. You cannot make up how inept the administration is running nzracing it just defies belief! Who in their right mind would bet on this race?

A 6 horse field, who saw that coming! Just think the people that programmed that race are running our industry ffs! Dont worry plenty of exciting 970m races on the way -yippee!!!

I cant see incentives working, especially if as NM says the horse doesn't perform on them or worse still it's not good for them in some way, we wont know for a few months of meetings how they really going to go,I guess one thing they cant make nzracing any more boring than it has become, surely?

I didnt hear that about Rodley and Popplewell, love to hear the logic as to my mind their notion is absurd! The AWT will suit next to no current winter horses imo.

It's pretty clear to me the only way there will ever be significant stakes increases in NZ racing is via asset sales, I'm guessing the fool's in charge know this also and thus we are having these shenanigans as a means of justifying such decisions, one just has to look at the lack of turnover info/ detail available to realise this.

The answer to that is very simple, distance racing doesnt suit the big syndicate stables and their model, i.e. expensive get up and go types that churn syndicate members in and out & thus $s.

Primarily look after the ones who are interested in the reason racing clubs are there - the horse itself. NZracing has completely lost its focus on its core product as clubs squirm over providing services & entertainment for the party crowd at the expense of racing people in particular owners & punters, one of main reasons I attend very few meetings even with a horse running. The industry heads have taken the easy route, but even that golden goose will have trouble laying eggs in the not too distant future.

And they appear to take time also, something in short supply these days. $10k always a stretch for MK ,youd have to love the mating to pay that when you could have picked up any number of nice types for $500 !

Sad because some nice stock on offer, back in the day would probably have picked one myself . But not now with the way NZracing is being operated. They seemed to keep this sale rather quiet also, i hope NZTR welfare person took some good notes, doubt that though.

Yep agree , I find the AWT racing totally unappealing, I will not be wagering a single $ on it either, hopefully for racing sake many dont think like that.

Indeed the character has been removed from the sport on all fronts & let's face it , it's become boring. I talked to participants who have been involved in the sport for years and they dont even know a single horse or where the races are on a Saturday anymore, that's a real worry that the hardcore have given up. I think the kick in the guts the provincial circuit & race days got from the M report and Saundry silly ill thought out venue plan if you could call it a plan have suffocated the industry far more than those at the top would like to admit. It wont happen but like Freda suggested a revitalization of the provincial circuit and some of a base for the industry would assist in renewing interest, but like I say wont happen.

Exactly what I was thinking when I saw this post, innovative and nzracing are so far removed from one another they shouldn't be mentioned in same post. Of course it will look like there are enough if you dont get to see all those having to change plans because of this. Are we also that silly that we expect NI amateur riders to go to the expense to go down for 1 ride? What are the numbers in the amateur riders like down that way?

So the last runners got $750 for running but the scratching gets nothing? NZ Racing is the biggest joke in sport!

Epicentre I meant.

Haha you cant help but laugh, the so called RIP centre of NZ racing - ffs we are a massive joke of an industry run by posers. At least they would have had a good rave after the races , that's all NZTR seem to care about , it certainly isn't racing.